Written by Travanta LeFlore
Two policy changes have led to an increase in students attending events at the pool in the Ornelas Health and Physical Education Center.
Last year, the swim cap policy stated anyone who had hair that was longer than the length below one’s ear lobes had to wear a swim cap.
“It was just for cleaning purposes as far as the hair and the filter and everything,” said Lindsay Beck, aquatics coordinator for the OHPE Center. “We changed the policy because nobody wanted to come to the pool so now they don’t have to wear a swim cap at all.”
Ever since the new policy was implemented, the OHPE Center has been getting a lot of more students to come swim.
“Kids are happier because they don’t have to wear a swim cap during the swim lessons,” Beck said.
Wearing a swim cap can be uncomfortable.
“If you have long hair, it pulls on your hair, and then if the swim cap is wet before you put it on, it slips off while your swimming. It was just a really inconvenient situation, so we’re happy that it’s gone,” Lily West, lifeguard for OHPE Pool, said. “Honestly, it’s a personal preference, if it doesn’t bother you it shouldn’t affect anybody else. I’ve been a competitive swimmer my whole life, and I have long hair, so I need a cap.”
Additionally, the swimsuit policy has changed.
“We do not make you wear one pieces anymore,” Beck said. “They can wear bikinis. We just ask that they are not string or thong bikinis.”
Males can now swim with a shirt on if they decide to. Also, males can wear any type of swim shorts.
Since implementing the new policy more there has been an increase in student attendance. The OHPE Center hosts events for students, such as log rolling, student recreation swimming and lap swim.
The OHPE recreation swimming is open from 6:30 – 7:50 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. Following that, there’s lap swim 6-7:50 a.m. as well as 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m. Monday through Friday; noon to 2 p.m. Saturday; and 1- 2:30 p.m. and 2:30-4 p.m. Sundays.
